Chapter 132: Chapter 132
“…Namgung Cheon entered the Alliance safely with the escort squad. Uh… did you catch the attacker?”
Jeok-sein approached, leading her horse, and asked with a tense expression.
Instead of answering, Jang Geon pointed at the roof tiles below his feet. Stepping onto the roof tiles, Jeok-sein found grains of sand sorted cleanly by color resting atop the tiles. Sensing a faint, prickling toxic qi, her brows furrowed deeply.
“Poison…?”
“It seems he intended to spread poison using smoke bombs if the assassination failed.”
Hearing Jang Geon’s words, Jeok-sein swallowed hard. If those smoke bombs had detonated on the main street of New Sichuan and spewed poison, dozens or even hundreds of commoners would have suffered severe harm.
She carefully inspected the colorful sand, her expression growing grave.
“To use such a crude yet vicious method in broad daylight in the middle of the street… They are becoming increasingly brazen.”
“Who do you think did it?”
“There are two possibilities. Either practitioners of the Palace attempting to silence Namgung Cheon, or forces inside the Alliance who wish to create chaos.”
Jang Geon silently listened as she spoke. He reached into his robe, produced a small piece of cloth, and collected a portion of the toxic sand before tying it tightly into a pouch.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking a sample. Someone might be able to identify what kind of poison it is.”
Jeok-sein nodded, admiring his meticulousness. She looked toward the direction where the escort team had vanished.
“Namgung Cheon being brought in as a surrendered prisoner has likely stirred up the internal factions of the Martial Alliance. The Alliance Leader’s side will try to obtain information from him, while the Council of Elders side will attempt to execute or silence him.”
“Is the conflict between the Alliance Leader and the Council of Elders that severe?”
“It has reached a point where it can no longer be hidden. The Alliance Leader seeks to reform the Alliance and curb the influence of the major sects, whereas the Elders of the Council wish to preserve their longstanding privileges and authority.”
Jeok-sein let out a sigh. Her face bore deep exhaustion.
If Jang Geon had not deflected the initial attack, Jeok-sein and the escort team would have lost Namgung Cheon without even realizing what happened. At the same time, having a figure escorted by the Martial Alliance assassinated right in the middle of the street would have shattered part of the trust that the people of New Sichuan held toward the Alliance.
Jeok-sein felt that the enemy’s attitude was far more direct and aggressive than she had imagined. Her deduction was not particularly difficult, and anyone aware of the current underlying circumstances could roughly guess as much. Did they think they had to kill Namgung Cheon even at such a cost?
“Reacting so fiercely means it poses that much of a threat. It might mean that the shadows inside the Martial Alliance are not as deep-rooted as one might think.”
Lost in thought, Jeok-sein snapped back to reality at the words of Jang Geon, who was tying up the cloth pouch and standing up.
“…Meaning they are barking louder to conceal their own size.”
“Or they might be trying to make people inside the Martial Alliance suspect one another. If the situation is exaggerated, people might believe that demonic practitioners are rampant inside the Alliance.”
Jeok-sein pressed her forehead, closing both eyes tightly.
“What is certain is that with a few arrows, they have turned the Martial Alliance upside down… The Alliance Leader and the Council of Elders will each try to steer this incident in the direction most advantageous to themselves… The merchant associations and smaller sects will try to attach themselves to whichever side yields more profit…”
“Do not worry too much.”
Hearing Jang Geon’s words spoken from very close by, Jeok-sein raised her head. She saw Jang Geon’s face as he stepped a pace closer.
“Namgung Cheon did not die. Having held a position equivalent to a general, he must know a great deal. If we protect him and persuade him well, we can wrap this up properly.”
Saying so, Jang Geon extended the tightly wrapped cloth pouch. Jeok-sein reflexively accepted it and looked up at Jang Geon blankly.
“Why give this to…?”
“I don’t know much about poison. In a place like the Martial Alliance, aren’t there people who study such things?”
“Uh… the Medical Pavilion does handle similar matters…”
Hearing her answer, Jang Geon gave a single nod and turned around. Jeok-sein looked back and forth between Jang Geon going down the roof and the pouch in her hand, then hurriedly pulled a handkerchief from her breast pocket, wrapped the pouch once more, and placed it inside her robes. Then, looking at Jang Geon’s back, she spoke.
“Wait, let us go together!”
The pavilion they stood on was unusually tall even among the surrounding buildings. Jang Geon grabbed the edge of the eaves and hung down, stepping into the railing of the pavilion’s top floor. Hearing the thushing noise from above, customers near the railing looking up tumbled backward in surprise.
Seeing the well-dressed customers, attendants, and all sorts of fine food and wine bottles arranged in the room, it appeared to be a high-end restaurant. They stared at the suddenly appearing Jang Geon with wide eyes. Jang Geon scanned the interior, held his bamboo hat, and gave a light nod to those customers. And leaving behind those who bowed in awkward return, he walked out of the room with steady steps.
By the time they snapped out of it and tried to catch Jang Geon, Jeok-sein entered through the railing he had come in through. Quickly producing a hexagonal medallion engraved with the character for Martial World, she held it up and spoke.
“Official Martial Alliance business! The emergency situation has passed, so everyone please resume your meals!”
Having silenced the people’s mouths like that, Jeok-sein quickly stepped outside. Jang Geon was already walking down the stairs.
“Martial Artist Jang—Jang Geon! Wait for me!”
Descending the stairs, Jang Geon came to a abrupt stop and looked up.
“Then come quickly.”
Noticing the surrounding attention drawn to her, Jeok-sein realized her voice had been a bit loud just now and cleared her throat with a cough. Then, with a walking pace that verged on a run, she quickly went down the stairs. Once she reached his side, Jang Geon resumed walking downward with heavy, rhythmic steps.
As they nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, Jeok-sein glanced sideways at Jang Geon and opened her mouth.
“Ahem… Speaking of which, did you see the opponent?”
“The one who shot the arrows?”
Jeok-sein, who had posed the question, nodded. Jang Geon smirked and answered.
“I saw his face. But I cannot be certain whether that was his real face. He was too far away.”
Already knowing about demonic practitioners who altered their faces and body shapes, Jeok-sein could understand his meaning. Her thoughts becoming complex again, she exited the pavilion with Jang Geon with a somewhat grave expression. Then her face soon turned to bewilderment, for on one side of the street she saw Jojo and her own horse scraping the ground. What was even more baffling was that Jojo was holding the reins of the other horse in his mouth.
Yet Jang Geon approached the fellow nonchalantly and rubbed his snout.
“Did your back hurt? I think I hit you a bit hard earlier.”
At Jang Geon’s slightly worried question, Jojo snorted as if it were laughable. It truly sounded like a human laughing. Smiling, Jang Geon ruffled his mane roughly as if saying ‘aren’t you something.’ Then he unclasped the reins held in Jojo’s mouth and held them out to Jeok-sein.
“…I knew he was a peculiar fellow, but he isn’t just peculiar, he’s extraordinary.”
When Jeok-sein spoke while receiving the reins, Jojo cocked his head as if saying ‘you finally realize?’ and put on airs.
Afterward, the two holding their respective horse reins pushed through the crowd on the street and advanced toward the Martial Alliance. Thanks to all the roads in that area leading to the Martial Alliance, it did not take long. The large main gate seen earlier came into view once more.
However, unlike earlier when it was merely firmly shut, the gate itself was wide open, but burly martial artists stood out front guarding the entrance.
They were warriors with deeply unified attire and weapons, wearing brimmed bamboo hats that shaded their eyes, long blue coats, and holding long spears resting on the ground. There were three of them: one on the left of the gate, one on the right, and one standing tall right in the center.
Seeing them standing out like that, passing people whispered among themselves or wore worried expressions. They seemed concerned about whether something had happened at the Martial Alliance.
Jang Geon and Jeok-sein approached them. Thereupon, the central figure who had been standing still like a stone statue thrust out one palm.
“Halt. Currently, the Alliance is not allowing entry unless your identity has been authorized.”
“I am Jeok-sein. Patrol team member No. 71.”
As Jeok-sein held up her identification medallion before his palm, his head raised slightly. Taciturn eyes beneath the bamboo hat confirmed the faces of Jeok-sein and Jang Geon.
“And you over there?”
“Jang Geon. I don’t have a medallion.”
“Then you cannot enter.”
The two men looked at each other with heavy eyes. As the atmosphere abruptly quieted down in a split second, Jeok-sein quickly stepped forward.
“Jang Geon is also a recipient of the Alliance Leader’s medal of appreciation. I know the situation is sensitive due to the attack just now, but he is a key figure in this matter to begin with, and I will guarantee his identity myself.”
“Currently, the main gate of the Alliance is locked down, Member Jeok. At ordinary times it might pass, but right now we cannot allow an outsider to enter based solely on a medal and a single agent’s guarantee. If you truly must enter, Member Jeok should enter first and obtain an authorization pass.”
Jeok-sein’s brows creased slightly.
“Those damn regulations…”
“We cannot make exceptions even for patrol members, Member Jeok.”
After glaring at the solemn guard for a moment, Jeok-sein cleanly gave up on persuading him and turned back to Jang Geon.
“I don’t understand why they enforce a lockdown that will be lifted soon anyway. It seems the higher-ups got startled when trouble broke out and are making things pointlessly difficult. The people who never even step foot on the scene always raise the biggest fuss.”
She spoke as if she didn’t care at all that the guard was listening right in front of her. The amusing part was that the guard seemed to agree, pretending not to hear her words.
“You will have to wait here for a moment. I shall quickly go inside and obtain permission.”
Jang Geon nodded to signify agreement and stood crookedly while holding his belt. Jeok-sein gave him a soft smile and attempted to pass the guard to enter the main gate.
At that moment, someone approached from behind Jang Geon and spoke.
“Instead of doing that, let us enter together.”
The guards and Jeok-sein turned toward him, and Jang Geon, recognizing the somewhat familiar voice, turned around most slowly.
He wore clean, luxurious black martial attire, with a sword hilt protruding over his right shoulder. Behind him, two warriors in similar attire followed, carrying various luggage and documents. Standing with his hands behind his back, he lightly raised his left arm, whereupon an eagle flying in from somewhere landed on his forearm. It was an eagle with an impressive overall black body and red patterns starting around its eyes and extending to its wings.
Perching the eagle on his left arm, he gave a light nod toward Jang Geon in greeting.
“It has been a long time. Are you still living as stiffly as ever?”
His name was Je Un-seong. He was an investigator of the ancient Shandong Je Clan.
* * *
“What kind of madness is this? To cause such a commotion in the middle of the street? Have you lost your mind?”
Inside a certain guest room. From the shadow in the corner, someone scolded the other party. However, the one being scolded was sitting half-reclined on a chair in front of the window enjoying the sunshine, sipping from a wine cup.
“…Are my words funny to you? Are you listening?”
“Of course. I’m not deaf, so naturally I hear you shrieking like that.”
At that slick, arrogant attitude, the figure in the shadows stepped forward. The old wooden floor creaked.
“Do you truly fail to understand the situation? The Alliance Leader will not let this matter pass lightly. He might incite people claiming that invisible sinister hands have infiltrated New Sichuan and inside the Alliance to invoke the Alliance Leader’s Decree! Then the Council of Elders will have no choice but to be dragged along for the time being!”
“Would it happen so easily? The Elders are no fools.”
“Fools? Those old men are bastards who will crawl under the Alliance Leader’s feet anytime as long as their self-interest is guaranteed. The moment they think the situation tilts that way, the balance will be broken…”
Despite the shadow figure’s impassioned tone, the one sitting in the chair indifferently picked up the wine bottle from the floor, filled his cup, and took a sip. Seeing that, the other party let out a breathing sound as if boiling with rage, then spun around.
“…This is unacceptable. Weren’t we partners? If the business operates in such an opaque manner… I will have no choice but to seek my own way to survive.”
At those words, the hand sipping the wine cup halted abruptly. The figure in the shadows lashed out like that and prepared to leave the room. But at that moment, he had to freeze dead in his tracks due to a strange sense of dissonance felt around his neck. Touching his neck with a trembling hand, he realized a thin, thread-like string was tightly wrapped around his neck.
“Seeking your own way to survive… Indeed, anyone can struggle for their own life. And they must. That is why I understand our friend Namgung Cheon. Loyalty to the Palace or whatever be damned, one must live first, must one not? Having ruined the job in Gowon City and gotten captured, the path he could choose was one of only two options. Keep his mouth shut and die, or defect without hesitation to continue living.”
Feeling the string choking his neck grow increasingly taut, threatening to cut into his flesh, the figure trapped in the shadow trembled violently.
“Because I understand him, I am not even angry. Just as he struggled to live, I am merely doing my job. Everyone does. Everyone wants to live valiantly like a lion, leaving deep furrows in the world, but it doesn’t happen that easily.”
Getting up from the slouched chair, he walked steadily into the shadows. Then he placed his hand heavily upon the shoulder of the figure facing the wall. The person whose neck was tethered trembled at that touch and spoke hurriedly.
“I-I made a slip of the tongue… It wasn’t that I would betray you or hand over information to the Alliance… I was merely…”
“Do your job. Hold tight to the Council of Elders and keep putting brakes on the Alliance Leader’s actions. Lead the effort to execute Namgung Cheon by painting him as an evil demonic practitioner rather than coaxing him, and exert all your strength to pull the Alliance’s power toward the Council of Elders. Isn’t that your job? That is why we shower you with gold and dig up your political rivals’ secrets.”
At his words, the tethered person hurriedly nodded his head.
“Right, right… That is my job…”
The hand resting on his shoulder lightly patted it twice and smoothly slid down.
“Good. Now begone. You shouldn’t leave your seat vacant any longer.”
The trembling figure felt the hand on his shoulder disappear, and simultaneously, the thread choking his neck vanished like a lie. Without looking back, he rapidly left the room.
Left alone in the room now, the man walked heavily back to his original chair. He leaned back against the chair again, this time even lifting his feet to rest them on the window sill. Then he picked up the wine bottle on the floor and poured wine into his cup with a trickling sound.
Staring blankly out the window, he swirled the wine cup in his hand, then paused as he saw the wine swaying inside.
After swirling the wine cup for a moment, he smirked and drank the wine inside it. Afterward, he refilled the cup and looked out the window with an amused expression.
Beyond it, the pavilions and pagodas of the Martial Alliance came clearly into view.